Texas Border Business
WASHINGTON – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) introduced companion legislation to the bipartisan Postal Service Emergency Assistance Act in the U.S. House of Representatives alongside Congressmembers Anthony Gonzalez (OH-16), Jared Golden (ME-02), and Elise Stefanik (NY-21). This bill would provide targeted funding to the United States Postal Service (USPS) to make up for the losses at the USPS due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, it would take steps towards securing the future of the USPS by requiring the Postmaster General and Board of Governors to submit a plan to Congress that ensures the long-term solvency of this important American institution.
“The U.S. Postal Service is a critical and affordable service for the American taxpayer, including those in our most remote communities in South Texas. Millions of Americans rely on the Postal Service for life-saving prescriptions, Social Security benefits, Census surveys, paychecks, tax returns and absentee ballots,” said Congressman Vicente Gonzalez. “This bill will provide funding for USPS and our frontline postal workers who have been working tirelessly during this pandemic. I am proud to co-lead this important bipartisan and bicameral legislation.”
“The United States Postal Service plays a vital role in the lives of all Americans. Like all other aspects of our daily lives, the USPS has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Congressman Anthony Gonzalez. “This bipartisan legislation has strong support in the U.S. Senate and strikes the right balance of additional funding for the USPS while recognizing that the Postal Service has underlying financial challenges. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever that we come together across the aisle to solve problems. I thank Senator Collins for her leadership on this important issue and my colleagues for working with me to push this legislation forward in the House of Representatives.”
“The Postal Service is an essential lifeline for rural Mainers and small businesses across our district,” said Congressman Jared Golden. “Our bipartisan bill provides emergency funding to the Postal Service so that it can continue to operate at full capacity during the coronavirus pandemic.”
“The USPS is a critical component of our North Country infrastructure, especially in our more rural areas,” said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. “I understand firsthand the importance of this service and have met with many Postal Service employees during my time in office. I am proud to work in a bipartisan manner to introduce this legislation along with my colleagues and offer a real solution to the immediate issues facing USPS. The North Country depends on the long-term viability of the Postal Service, and this legislation puts USPS on the pathway to fiscal stability and stronger future. I look forward to working with my House colleagues to further this legislation.”
This is the companion bill to legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate by Maine Senator Susan Collins and California Senator Dianne Feinstein. The Postal Service Emergency Assistance Act is supported by the American Postal Workers Union, Coalition for a 21st Century Postal Service, National Active and Retired Federal Employees, National Association of Postal Supervisors, National Postal Mail Handlers Union, National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association, the Package Coalition, the PRINTING United Alliance, and United Postmasters and Managers of America.
